Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa gave a direct order to the officers and men under Police Regional Office 9 to intensify their campaign against riding in tandem criminals and to maximize the anti-criminality campaign in their respective jurisdiction.

This is reportedly in line with his ongoing thrust to curb the rising number of criminal incidents involving the use of guns in the entire country.

General Dela Rosa, who graced the 116th PNP Anniversary at Camp Abendan yesterday, told local media that riding in tandem criminals in the entire country are giving a headache to authorities, and so the police should level the field by way of intensifying their efforts to neutralize the same.

"Now that the campaign against drugs was already removed from us, we have no reason why we cannot run after those riding in tandem criminals. You must get them at all costs. Kayo na bahala sa kanila. Huwag nyo lang patayin," Dela Rosa said.

Based on data submitted to him by PRO9, dela Rosa said that the number of crimes attributed to riding tandem criminals in Zamboanga Peninsula is still manageable compared to that of Metro Manila area where almost everyday somebody gets killed by riding-in -tandem criminals.